CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year Prepared and Presented by Wanda Allen-Abraha, JD Human Relations Director

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview Purpose, Mission, History, and Duties. Page 3 The Board s Relationship to City Government, Staff, and the Community. Page 4 Membership Page Highlights Management s Comments Page 6 Performance Information/Highlights. Page Outline of Goals. Page 8 Recommendations to the City Council. Page 8 Appendix A: Spring Newsletter Appendix B: Opportunities for Community Service/Volunteer Hours Page 2

3 COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD PURPOSE MISSION The purpose of the CAB is to serve as an advisory council to the City Council regarding areas such as economic development projects, transit advocacy, and student housing issues (and other issues the group may suggest) that will encourage students to remain in Winston-Salem post graduation. The CAB serves as a body that represents the needs, interests, and concerns of college students and recent college graduates by engaging them in relevant community projects, programs, and issues. HISTORY In June 2010, the Winston-Salem City Council unanimously approved a resolution to establish the College Advisory Board. Spearheaded by Council Member Derwin L. Montgomery, the group was created to communicate the needs of college students to the City of Winston-Salem. DUTIES (a) Suggest and contribute ideas to economic development projects that will appeal to college students and young professionals; (b) Advocate for public transit availability and accessibility at various colleges and universities; (c) Voice concerns and resources pertaining to off-campus student housing issues involving landlords, property managers, and fair housing matters; (d) Actively engage in learning about community leadership opportunities that will encourage and foster partnerships with colleges and universities, as well as young professionals; and (e) Encourage college students to remain in Winston-Salem after graduation. Page 3

4 THE BOARD'S RELATIONSHIP TO CITY GOVERNMENT The government of the City of Winston-Salem and the general management and control of all its affairs are vested in the City Council and the Mayor. The City Council appoints the City Manager who is the administrative head of City government and is responsible for the administration of all departments of City government. The City Council is also the appointing authority for members of the College Advisory Board. The Board keeps the City Manager and the City Council informed of its activities. To further that communication, the chairperson or a designated member of the Board shall appear annually before the City Council to provide them with information on the pulse of the college/university student community and a yearly progress report on Board programs and projects. The Board makes recommendations to the City Council concerning projects and programs relevant to the college/university student population of Winston-Salem. THE BOARD'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE STAFF The Board s relationship with the Human Relations staff involves advising staff regarding programs, concerns, and issues relating to college/university students. During the process of initiating programs and investigating complaints and problems, the Board calls on the staff for technical assistance and research into matters that are brought to the Board. THE BOARD'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMMUNITY The College Advisory Board is the body through which college/university students concerns can be relayed to City officials. The College Advisory Board brings information to its peers on the programs and activities of city government that pertain to college/university students. Page 4

5 COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSHIP ROSTER Student College/University Aaron Bullock Wake Forest University Mario Cloud Forsyth Technical Community College Joshua Disher Forsyth Technical Community College Joanna Mills Salem College Candice Morales Winston-Salem State University Justin Redd Winston-Salem State University Carrie Stokes Wake Forest University Shannon Stokes Salem College No Appointee Piedmont Baptist College No Appointee Piedmont Baptist College No Appointee University of North Carolina School of the Arts No Appointee University of North Carolina School of the Arts College Advisory Board Committees: Community Projects: (Shannon Stokes- Chair) ; Mario Cloud, Joshua Disher, Justin Redd Government Affairs: (Joshua Disher- Co- Chair, Justin Redd- Co-Chair) ; Aaron Bullock, Shannon Stokes Neighborhood Mediation: (Aaron Bullock- Chair); Mario Cloud, Joanna Mills, Carrie Stokes Public Relations: (Justin Redd- Chair); Joanna Mills, Carrie Stokes, Shannon Stokes Page 5

6 MANAGEMENT S COMMENTS WANDA ALLEN-ABRAHA, HUMAN RELATIONS DIRECTOR We are very excited to be serve as the administering department for the (CAB). The CAB was the brain child of Council Member Derwicn Montgomery, East Ward. The CAB was created in June 2010 by the Winston-Salem City Council; therefore, this has been the inaugural year. The administrative duties in support of the CAB were assigned to the Human Relations Department. The purpose of the CAB is to advise the City Council regarding matters that are of interest to students who are enrolled in colleges and universities in Winston-Salem, which, in turn, will encourage the retention of college graduates in Winston-Salem. Specific duties of the CAB include: (a) Suggesting and contributing ideas to economic development projects that will appeal to college students and young professionals; (b) Advocating for public transit availability and accessibility at various colleges and universities; (c) Voicing concerns and resources pertaining to off-campus student housing issues involving landlords, property managers, and fair housing matters; (d) Actively engaging in learning about community leadership opportunities that will encourage and foster partnerships with colleges and universities, as well as young professionals; and (e) Encouraging college students to remain in Winston-Salem after graduation. The CAB is comprised of a maximum of 12 members appointed by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Mayor. All members are enrolled as full-time college or university students in Winston-Salem. Members represent the diversity present in the community. During its inaugural year, the College Advisory Board has been actively establishing the foundation of its service to the community. They have engaged in 40 hours of learning about our community by participating in themed months throughout the year that focused on topics such as the environment, civics, government, transportation, and housing. The College Advisory Board is a welcome addition to our administrative duties. Its members have been charged with laying the foundation for future lines of communication between the growing college student community and local government, specifically, the City Council. So far, they are off to a dynamic start. Page 6

7 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION I. Goal: Education Gain better knowledge of community issues, organizations, and services. MONTHLY FOCUS/PRESENTATIONS October Organizational Set-Up Presentation: Wanda Allen-Abraha, Human Relations Department Director November Community Relations Presentation: Ritchie Brooks, Community and Business Development Department Director Sgt. David Collins, Winston-Salem Police Department December Nonprofit Community Presentation: Amy Lytle, Hands-On Northwest North Carolina March Transportation and the Environment Presentation: Phillip Matthew Burczyk George Stilphen, Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful April Housing Issues/Student Conduct Guests: Housing and Judicial Affairs Officers at Local Colleges/Universities May- Focus on End-of Year Project- Mediation Program II. III. Goal: Community Service/Volunteerism Participate in 40 hours each of community activities and service. Connect to college/university student population through written publication. Produce annual program that is a benefit to the community. Goal: City Government Participation Gain knowledge of city government by Interfacing with city government officials. MEETING PURPOSE Mid-Year Report College Mediation Program Outreach Meeting Community Mediation Program Outreach Meeting Annual Report Presentation CITY OFFICIAL(S) CDHGG Committee of City Council Human Relations Department Staff CM Denise Adams, Ritchie Brooks CDHGG Committee of City Council OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOURS See Appendix B ESTIMATED FY TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS: 200 See Appendix A for copy of newsletter IV. End-of-Year Project Goal Annual Project: This school year, the College Advisory Board selected the neighborhood mediation program as its annual project. The Board established a committee called the neighborhood mediation committee, which is responsible for facilitating a mediation program in which college students and city residents can participate to improve neighbor relations and settle disputes. Page 7

8 MAJOR PROGRAM /PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS Establishing University Partnerships: The Human Relations Department and College Advisory Board established relationships with student life, housing, and judicial affairs staff and faculty for the purpose of selection of College Advisory Board members and advisement from the local colleges and universities. Neighborhood Mediation Program: The College Advisory Board created the framework for a neighborhood mediation program and held community meetings on- and offcampus to receive feedback on the program. The neighborhood mediation program is slated to begin conducting mediations in the fall of WINSTON-SALEM COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD OUTLINE OF GOALS For the fiscal year of , the goals of the College Advisory Board will focus on the following ten goals: 1. To train members of the College Advisory Board in mediation; 2. To lead in conducting mediations as conflict resolution needs arise from off-campus housing issues; 3. To continue producing the College Advisory Board newsletter; and 4. To develop an end of year project for the school year. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL The College Advisory Board makes the following recommendations to the City Council : 1. The College Advisory Board recognizes the importance of building and maintaining effective lines of communication between city government and the community. By improving the dialogue with our diverse community groups, city government can ensure that the City of Winston-Salem fosters an environment that is conducive for an atmosphere in which college and university students voices are heard. In carrying out its goals, the College Advisory Board will increase its outreach efforts and seek input from the City Council on issues or concerns in their respective wards. We ask that the City Council support the Board s goals in this effort. 2. The College Advisory Board requests that the City Council support the Board s goal of building a stronger relationship with City officials. The College Advisory Board appreciates the the City Council s support. will strengthen the College Advisory Board s efforts in working on behalf of all the citizens in Winston-Salem. Page 8

9 APPENDIX A. Spring College Advisory Board Newsletter B. Opportunities for Community Service/Volunteer Hours Page 9